The Face of Water
  • Published: 15 December 2018
  • ISBN: 9780525563655
  • Imprint: Knopf US
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 272
  • RRP: $45.00
Categories:

The Face of Water

A Translator on Beauty and Meaning in the Bible

Formats & editions
EBook
28 Mar 2017
Paperback
15 Dec 2018
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A dazzling reconsideration of the language and translation of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, from the acclaimed scholar and translator of classical literature.

In this dazzling reconsideration of the language of the Old and New Testaments, acclaimed scholar and translator of classical literature Sarah Ruden argues that the Bible’s modern translations often lack the clarity and vitality of the originals. Singling out the most famous passages, such as the Genesis creation story, the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Beatitudes, Ruden reexamines and retranslates from the Hebrew and Greek, illuminating what has been misunderstood and obscured in standard English translations. By showing how the original texts more clearly reveal our cherished values, Ruden gives us an unprecedented understanding of what this extraordinary document was for its earliest readers and what it can still be for us today.
  • Published: 15 December 2018
  • ISBN: 9780525563655
  • Imprint: Knopf US
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 272
  • RRP: $45.00
Categories:

Praise for The Face of Water

  • "If you seriously want to know what the Bible says but don't have the time or the courage to master Biblical Hebrew or Koine Greek, then Ruden is the best guide you are likely to find: friendly, informal, yet with a scholarly grasp of just how unrealizable perfect translation is." --J. M. Coetzee
  • "Ruden finds hidden meaning in the intricate arrangement of the ancient vocabularies, poetics, and lifestyles, and therein lies the fun. . . . Entertaining, academic and easygoing." --Kirkus Reviews
  • "This combination of casual ease and serious scholarship allows Ruden to bring fresh insights into even the most familiar stories and will make the book a true pleasure for anyone with an interest in translation or the Bible." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)